Nerve cells and glial cells are the major cell types present within the nervous system. Glia cells surround nerve cells and constitutes more than half the mass of the nervous system. The traditional view was that glial cells were just space fillers between nerve cells, however, with the advent of new technologies, it has been determined that glia plays a crucial role in many neuronal processes such as neurogenesis, neural regeneration and neural function. Glia have been shown to interact with nerve cells in complex ways that are essential for the health of the nervous system. A conferences under the auspices of the New York Academy of Sciences has been planned to bring together investigators studying in vivo and in vitro preparations involving vertebrate and invertebrate systems. The intent of this meeting is to discuss the recent advances in the cell biology and physiology of glial cells and to examine the most promising lines of future development.
